Because I wanted to take part in the album ranking:

1. Daydream Nation
2. Washing Machine
3. Goo
4. Sister
5. Dirty
6. Rather Ripped
7. Sonic Nurse
8. Evol
9. Murray Street
10. The Eternal
11. Bad Moon Rising
12. Sonic Youth
13. Experimental Jet Set, Trash, and No Star
14. A Thousand Leaves
15. NYC Ghosts and Flowers
16. Confusion is Sex

Note that this is rough and could likely change on a moment's notice. And I'm torn between saying 'sorry if your favourite's low' and 'fuck you, this is my list'.

Good list and directionally in line with my personal taste. The only thing I would suggest is spending more quality time with Confusion is Sex + Kill Yr Idols. Seriously, it'll eventually "unlock" for you and you will be grateful for it.

It’s not THAAAT bad. I like it.

This. I didn't understand Confusion for like two decades. I was never in the right headspace for it. Some random day i try it again and i loved everything about it.

Yyyyyyup.

Every album takes less time to absorb than this one, I think. But when this clicked for me, it kinda shook the world.

Only Sonic Youth album that clicked harder was Bad Moon Rising. I didn’t know what to do with anything after the first 3 minutes or so for several years. Then one day I unearthed the hidden melodies and caught the album’s true vibe. Now I’m always gemming and hawing over whether or not it belongs in the top 3.

Goddamn amazing record, that.

It’s super cool that you’re a teenager who listens to Sonic Youth. Unless times have changed dramatically since I was a teenager (which, of course, they have) this will get you absolutely nowhere until you’re in college, and then people will think you’re cool as fuck and want to talk to you about music all the time.

That said, I’m going to critique your list!!! I’m going to rate each album out of 10 but leave them in the order you had them.

Why? Because fuck you it’s my list critique.


... for now

I didn't even try to provide /10 ratings, it was hard enough ordering them as it was. That said, everything above BMR is at least a 7 IMO.

Yes to this too. It's perfect when you are in the right mood. I love the little stooges tape stuff. The thudding with echo drums.

I think in general I have enjoyed weirder and weirder music as i have aged.

I think with CIS and BMR it is that they have a rather dense and tense sound. They are less tangible.

Yeah but there’s a primordial groove to both records that really entrances me. Like “Protect me You,” which is positively vexing (in a good way) and “I’m Insane,” which might be the most no-wave song ever. The groove just electrifies me every time.

BMR’s better, but both are transcendent. BMR hit me and I’m still reeling all these many, many years later.

you know what, I was in love with CIS and BMR straight away after first hearing which is strange, as I was very young and I was just starting opening my ears to a "different" music back then. till then it was mostly nice "melodic stuff". I remember it very clearly. walking in the winter, lots of snow, just a street lights. I had CIS on one side of the tape and on other BMR, blown away by that albums. I was listening to them albums non-stop for few days alright. Sonic Death was really challenging for me, that was few days after I heard CIS and BMR. could not digest them live outtakes easily.

^ Likewise. Was 15 when I got into Sonic Youth after discovering them via that track they did w/ Cypress Hill. CiS and BMR have that rawness to 'em that I love in music. The agony and despair is ultra-present. SY got a lot prettier as they went on, and likely less angry as people.

I can actually buy that, because I responded that way to similarly abrasive, experimental music straight away. Just not these particular albums.

I think BMR was hibesltt a little weirder because it starts with a glorious melody and then a downright anthemic bass groove, but then folds in on itself and chucks any semblance of accessibility out the window and makes you dig through the brush to find it.

CIS/KYI is kind of a headfuck all over, so somehow less confusing than an album that starts with major chords and then dips intro sludge.

Anyway I really love BMR. And CIS.

rawness and despair are great words to describe it. I would add word dark as well relating to them albums. funny thing, we must be around same age. I have noticed SY for a first time when Judgment Night album came out. then I saw 100% on MTV, it was pretty cool video, but it did not click with me for some reason, then when I heard Goo for a first time during my university time I was in love.

hehe headfuck all over....love it!

A female mechanic?! How asinine of a concept!

Oxymorons are for the cognitively plagued. Listen to more Fergie, now that's a REAL woman.

Actually, I was only 2 years old when Judgement Night actually released. lol

What a beautiful way to describe BMR, Sev. You have a real knack for that.

Thanks bud.

That nonsense word is supposed to be “honestly” I think.

Please just ban this fucker ^ already...

Heh?